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A BritMums Summer Themed Blog Carnival

I started writing this round up in the throes of a heatwave and in the excitement of seeing sunshine and blue skies, I decided on a summer theme was in order for this week’s BritMum’s carnival. I’ve loved finding the most inspiring ways to celebrate our British summers, they don’t last very long, lets be honest, so it’s no wonder it puts us all in a good mood. I’ve even left the house in shorts (gasp!) on several occasions but nothing as courageous as Renee at Mummy Tries who’s showed us that we should be proud in our swimwear with her #proudinmybikini post, a follow on from her original Are you proud of your body? post which was published on Huffington Post, she’s gone on to inspire us mummas to love our post baby bodies with a competition to win a swimwear voucher. I’ve not plucked up the courage to go 2 piece after the birth of my 3rd but that’s more weather related than courage.

All this girl power talk did get me thinking though and as a breastfeeding mummy, my summer wardrobe was rather limited, until I got the chance, to review a stunning nursing dress from Milk and Mummy. I’m now embracing my feminity and breastfeeding more comfortably and easily in a beautiful dress designed and styled for breastfeeding mums. If you’re not quite there yet and still cooking your precious cargo but stuck for something to wear in the summer months then Unique and Chic have the perfect summer wedding outfit (which was in the sale so even better!)

Ever had a lovely vision of the kids frolicking in the pool, laughing and smiling as we sit in awe of the perfect moment you’ve created? Teaching Mum did but then this happened, I’m sorry but I did have a giggle, many a time as she describes the reality of those situations so well. Check out her sorry photos too. On a serious note, we’ve had a few restless nights as the kids play musical beds due to the heat and The Dad Network has some Some really important tips for surviving warmer nights, I never even thought about the loft hatch one. I urge you to give it a read to ensure you’re making your little ones as safe as possible, I remember only too well being glued to the Gro Egg last summer as my little newborn Baby R lay in his crib, wondering if I needed to open windows and put the fan on.

Looking for ideas for the summer hols? You have got to check these out from Mums make lists. I’m penciling them all in and I might even let the kids have a go! No really, there some great ideas here. Heading to the beach this summer? Check out Life Unexpected’s survival guide to visiting the beach with toddlers, especially if this is your first time with one. Spoiler alert; you won’t need a deckchair!

For another keep cool activity you could try this sensory activity giving the little ones something to do other than splashing around in the pool (presuming you didn’t do a Teaching Mum above!) im a huge fan of heuristic play shows that sometimes the most learning can be had when adults passively watch and follow their toddlers lead.

Holidaying in the West Country this summer? Cornish mum shows us what’s on in her home county of Cornwall , it’s always great to hear it from a locals point of view so if you cross the border into Devon my own Devon days out post should help too.

And finally, the end of the summer school term can only mean one thing, presents for teachers. From working in a school I have seen the many bottles of wine and boxes of chocolates that come through the doors on the last day but how about rocking up with some homemade foot scrub? Craft Invaders show you just how to make it your self and even get the kids involved. I’m sure any teacher would welcome the invitation to rest and pamper their feet.

That’s just about all for now, I hope this has inspired you to embrace your summer, I’m sure by the time you read this we’ll be back to our typical British summer but hey ho, it was good while it lasted!

13 Comments

HonestMum

15th July 2015 / 11:40 pm

Fab round up darling, I started the #proudinmybikini campaign and it is truly wonderful to have Renee and so many others join in and show the world how proud we are in our own skin, fab round up. Thanks for linking up to #brilliantblogposts x

It’s such an inspiring campaign, just knowing we’re all the same underneath, does wonders for a mums confidence. I honestly thought my bikini days were over, it might be on my local beach but maybe more bikini holidays ahead for me, who knows!